NFL Championship Weekend

Well, I redeemed myself last weekend, going 4-0 in the Divisional Games. (5-3 for the playoffs). I shouldn't get a head of myself as it was chalk last week. Of course, in the NFL Fantasy Pick'um, they got my pick wrong. I only went 2-2 on the site. Maybe I clicked the wrong buttons or something. The week is a hard.

San Fransisco 49ers (5) at Seattle Seahawks (1)

I don't know. The momentum is with San Fransisco. They seem to be playing their best football of year. An in recent weeks the Seahawks offense has seem to sputter. This is as close a game as possible. I should pick San Fransisco, but I just can't seem to shake this felling Seattle is going to pull it out. Seattle goes to the Super Bowl, 17-14.

New England Patriots (2) at Denver Broncos (1)

Paper, paper, paper. I look at this game and say how can New England even be here! I said that all season long, but here we are. I have to go with my heart, New England. Honestly, I can see this game going anyway, but low scoring. I will not be surprised if Denver wins by 20 points. But I can see New England doing the same. I think it the game is going to hinge on the Patriots passing game. Yes, I said passing game. The way the Pats have been running the ball and injuries to the Bronco's defense, tell me that. If the Bronco's overplay the running game it will be vulnerable to the pass. New England 37-31.

PS Wes Welker will drop a third down and seven pass late in the game, forcing Denver to kick a FG when down by 9.

NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

OK, for those of you who are still there, I stunk up the house last weekend (1-3). However, I don't think I was in the minority. That Indianapolis comeback was something else. Philadelphia's defense was what it was advertised to be. Lastly, Cincinnati are what they are. They will never win anything with Marvin Lewis as coach. The team is to poorly coached.

Let's see if I can redeem myself.

New Orleans Saints (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1) (Saturday 4:35pm)

New Orleans surprised me last week. Drew Brees had an OK game, 20-30 250yds, 1 TD, 2 Picks. The surprising stat was the 185yds rushing. I don't think they will be able to do that against Seattle. I think New Orleans is going to be out matched. If Marshan Lynch has a big week New Orleans is in trouble. Seattle 27-14.

San Fransisco 49ers (5) at Carolina Panthers (2) (Sunday 1:05pm)

San Fransisco won last week, but the game was closer than I thought it would be. Did the cold affect San Fransisco more than thought or was Green Bay better. Who knows? Carolina has much better defense than Green Bay. I don't think Kaepernick will be able to run like he did last week. Carolina won 10-9 during the year, but SF didn't have Crabtree or Davis for the game. How much of a difference? SF 17-10.

San Diego Chargers (6) at Denver Broncos (1) (Sunday 4:35pm)

I don't even know how San Diego got here. But they now have two of the most dangerous elements in playoffs, Confidence & Nothing to Lose. They are playing with house money. They've beaten the Broncos already in Denver. I won't call this one a toss up. I want San Diego to win. My feeling is if you are playing a team for the 3^rd time, edge goes to the better team, and the Broncos are the better team. It will take a Payton Manning playoff choke job for the Chargers to win. Denver 38-21.

Indianapolis Colts (4) at New England Patriots (2) (Saturday 8:35pm)

What the Colts and Luck did last week was amazing. Even though Chiefs' player were dropping like flies come back from 28 points down is historic. It is going to rainy and windy in Foxboro, but Luck has decent number in “bad” weather. As Patriots fan, I can't see how New England is 12-4. Here we say “In Bill we trust!” If Brady doesn't get flustered by Mathis and the Colts defense, I think New England gets a pretty easy win. I'm not sure they do that. NE 21-17.

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Earlier I posted my NFL playoff preview, ranking the teams in each conference. That does not mean the two #1 teams (Seattle & Denver) will meet in the Super Bowl. Right now, I would give no team more than a 20% chance of winning it all. Match-ups mean a lot in the playoffs. So here are my picks for the four wild card games this weekend.

(5) Kansas City Chiefs at (4) Indianapolis Colts (Saturday 4:35pm)

The more I look at this game, the more confused I get. All the signs point to Indy. They have already beaten the Chiefs (23-7 in KC). They come in on 3 game winning streak. KC faltered down the stretch. But something keeps nagging at me. The Chiefs will welcome Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston back and if Tamba Hali can join him, could they harass Andrew Luck into a few mistakes? Offensively, I love Jamal Charles, but I think the key will be WR Dexter McCluster. I think he is a bit underrated and could be overlooked. Going against conventional wisdom, I am going to pick Kansas City, 27-23.

(6) New Orleans Saints at (3) Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday 8:10pm)

As I said in my preview, if the Saints were at home, they would a big favorite. On the road (18ppg, 3-5 they year, 0-5 in playoffs) and in cold weather (high 20's), I do not like them at all. Can they win? Yes. Sean Payton & Drew Bress are 2^nd best coach/QB combo in the league. The Eagles secondary is one of the worst and New Orleans defense is one the best. The key will be how Chip Kelly & Nick Foles handle their first playoff experience. If Philadelphia doesn't turn the ball over it will be an easy win, 34-17.

(6) San Diego Chargers at (3) Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday 1:00pm)

Let me say just one thing, If Cincinnati loses this game, Marvin Lewis should be fired on the spot! While San Diego is a scrappy team, they do not belong in the playoffs. If it weren't for choke jobs by Baltimore & Miami, they wouldn't be. Cincinnati has the best all around talent in the AFC. I have feeling this will be on of those games where San Diego may score a fluke or late TD to make it look respectable. Cincinnati, 28-23.

(5) San Fransisco 49ers vs (4) Green Bay Packers (Sunday 4:35pm)

The Packers are bit like the San Diego Chargers, they got real lucky to make the playoffs. But even with Aaron Rodgers playing, I give GB only slim chance. San Fransisco is right up there with Seattle as the best team in NFL. I think Kaepernick, Gore, Davis & Boldin will eat up Green Bay's D. I can understand why fans in Green Bay don't want go to the game. The weather will keep this game from being a blood bath, SF 23-10.